The BRICS Summit commenced in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking the third time this significant international event is hosted on the African continent.

The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa convened to deliberate upon the future of BRICS cooperation and its role in a rapidly transforming global landscape.

Addressing the attendees, Chinese President Xi Jinping, expressed the collective sentiment of the member nations, highlighting the critical juncture at which the world finds itself. He emphasized the new era of turbulence and transformation, characterised by substantial shifts, divisions and realignments that yield unpredictable developments.

In the press release shared by the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC), Xi underscored BRICS' significance in shaping the international arena, emphasizing that the coalition remains steadfast in asserting its independent development trajectories while championing the right to development for all. He praised the enduring commitment to openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, which has propelled BRICS cooperation to new heights.

The leader of China highlighted BRICS' role in upholding fairness and justice in global affairs. They emphasized the importance of standing up for righteousness on major international and regional issues, while refraining from compromising principles or yielding to external pressures. He also emphasised that BRICS nations share extensive consensus and unwavering common goals.

The three-day’s summit's agenda is set to encompass a wide range of topics, with a particular focus on deepening economic and financial cooperation to stimulate global growth. Acknowledging the fragile state of the world economy, with projected growth of less than 3 percent, Xi stressed the need for collaboration in digital economy, green development, and supply chain enhancement.

China's commitment to fostering innovation was demonstrated through the announcement of the establishment of a China-BRICS Science and Innovation Incubation Park. Additionally, the leaders deliberated on the formation of a BRICS Global Remote Sensing Satellite Data and Application Cooperation Platform to bolster agricultural productivity, ecological preservation, and disaster reduction.

Geopolitical tensions were not overlooked as President Xi called for political and security cooperation to ensure global peace and tranquility. They urged restraint and diplomacy in addressing crises and conflicts, advocating for dialogue and de-escalation rather than exacerbation.

The Chinese leader emphasized the importance of mutual learning between civilizations and the need to respect diverse development paths. The BRICS members were encouraged to deepen people-to-people exchanges and strengthen cultural bonds, with an emphasis on education and innovation.

On the topic of global governance, President he urged adherence to principles of equity and justice. They emphasized the necessity of collective rule-making based on the United Nations Charter, rejecting attempts to impose rules dictated solely by dominant entities. The leaders pledged support for multilateralism and the enhancement of the international financial and monetary systems to better represent developing countries.

The BRICS Summit concluded with a message of unity and collective purpose. President Xi expressed optimism regarding the increasing enthusiasm among developing nations for BRICS cooperation. They echoed the African proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together," emphasising the importance of collaboration and interconnectedness in navigating the challenges ahead.

As the summit concluded, the world awaits the concrete actions and collaborative strategies that will emanate from this gathering of influential nations